Santorum's fundraising tops $20 million

[flowomo]

By Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Rick Santorum, one of the most vulnerable incumbents facing re-election this November, announced Friday he has raised $20.1 million -- nearly double that of his Democratic challenger.

The number bypasses the previous record raised by a Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, which was $19.8 million raised by Sen. Arlen Specter for his 2004 race.

Santorum, the No. 3 Senate Republican, raised $3.6 million for the fundraising quarter that ended June 30, and has $9.5 million in cash, according to his campaign.

His opponent, state Treasurer Bob Casey, raised $2.8 million and has $5.2 million in cash, his campaign said. He has raised a total of $10.8 million, his campaign said.

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2006/07/14/news/news17.txt

[Redstone]

1. Doesn't matter. Casey's going to clean his clock.

There are a number of dumb people in Pennsylvania, but not enough this time.

Redstone

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Make it $40 million. I love to see RWingers get their $$$ wasted.

[Redstone]

5. Yes, indeed.

Redstone

[flowomo]

4. money always matters....

polls look good here. But Casey has vulnerabilities and that money will be used to exploit them. I have high hopes, but nothing is settled yet.

[Redstone]

7. What are his vulnerabilities? When I lived in PA, being a Casey was

a virtual lock on winning elections.

But that was a long time ago. I'd really appreciate it if you could give me a quick update.

Redstone

[flowomo]

10. several that could matter:

1) Santorum has no qualms about rallying his base with mad-dog demagoguing and so is a dangerous campaigner that way. Casey is often dull, sometimes inarticulate and not very good at electrifying a crowd, or a base. Look for Santorum to use that money to whip his crowd into a frenzy. Can Casey keep up when that starts? I have some worries about the Sept. debate in that regard.

2) Many Republicans have soured on Santorum, but he has a proven track record, and is very capable of winning Dem votes -- as he proved in winning his House seat in a previously Dem district. Casey needs either all the Dems, or enough Repubs to offset Dem losses. The Dem left is lukewarm on him -- sort of a Kerry thing. They want to beat Santorum so badly they can taste it -- but they still are not passionate about Casey. I know this to be true just from listening to my many, many lib Dem friends -- many of whom are women. The abortion issue counts heavily with them. Can Casey win without energizing the Dems across the board. Dunno. The last Dem candidate -- useless Ron Klink -- certainly couldn't.

3) I don't trust the polls. Maybe people are sending Rick a message now -- but what will they do later? No one can say. All that money can do a lot of work in rewiring those damaged circuits before November.

As I say, my gut feeling is that Casey is going to win this. But I am not so foolish as to expect that Santorum doesn't have ways to use all that money to drag this campaign into places and in ways that will muddy the situation enough to keep him in the game.

[Redstone]

12. Hey, thanks a bunch. You explained it VERY well.

I sure hope that lots of PA Dems read your post and get out there to vote.

Redstone

[flowomo]

13. others will probably disagree with my current read....

so just take it as one opinion. But remember those utter assholes in -- where was it, Oklahoma and Kentucky? -- who seemed simply too stupid to win Senate seats in 2004, but did? Well, Santorum is way more dangerous than either of them -- smarter, more ruthless, and much, much richer. And while Pennsylvania is not Kentucky, it's a very evenly divided state that has already sent Santorum to the Senate repeatedly (and he hasn't changed his stripes; he's always been a total jerk). Nothing should be taken for granted.

[Redstone]

14. Indeed. it may be "one opinion," but it's a well-thought-out one.

I'd trust your analysis anytime.

Redstone

[flowomo]

15. geez, thanks! In that case, please take a minute to read this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=222255&mesg_id=222255

[Redstone]

16. I like it! I've bookmarked the paper's site so I can go back for more.

Redstone

[flowomo]

17. thanks. I write once a week and all are archived there...

I've taken some hard shots at Santorum over the years, by the way.

[Redstone]

19. Good for you. You've gained a fan tonight.

Redstone

[blue neen]

27. A little story about Casey:

I had written him a letter about 3 months ago about issues that we differed on--issues that I felt had affected my family personally.

Lo and behold, Bob Casey called me personally, at home, on a Sunday evening to discuss those issues and everything else under the sun. We talked for 45 minutes. I found him to be very personable, intelligent and well-educated, and quite prepared to take on Rick Santorum.

I still may disagree with Mr. Casey on those few issues, but he has my wholehearted support in this election. I was very impressed that he cared enough about one voter's opinions to call that voter and have a discussion with her. You can also count me in as a volunteer for his campaign.

I was lucky enough to attend a fundraiser for Bob Casey in Pittsburgh several weeks ago. John Edwards was the special guest. The event was very well-attended, in spite of severe thunderstorms all evening.
Both Casey and Edwards were interesting and in great spirits. Casey mentioned that Santorum has voted with President Bush 98% of the time, among other things. Ricky can't run away from the facts. He's a loose cannon, and PA citizens need a senator who will represent us, not corporations.

...just thought I'd share, because it's been a great experience so far! :)

[VegasWolf]

2. Never underestimate the deep pockets of corporations when they need

legislation done their way.

:puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke:

[otohara]

6. That's Obscene

for the worst Senator in the country to be able to raise this kind of money is nauseating

[Redstone]

8. Yes, and it would be damn interesting to find out where it's coming from.

Wouldn't it? You can bet your last dollar (and mine) that it is NOT coming from individuals.

Redstone

[Just Me]

9. There is something seriously sick about that.

Twenty fucking MILLION dollars,...

What is that,...20,000,000,000 dollars?

WHERE THE HELL IS ALL THAT KIND OF MONEY COMING FROM?

T-W-E-N-T-Y MILLION D-O-L-L-A-R-S?!?!?!?!?!

Who's lovin' the money amongst these evangalakillinchristkillers?

DAMN!!!!

[ldf]

28. not to nitpick

but what you wrote was 20 billion, with a B.

20 million is 20,000,000.

[davekriss]

11. what f*cking ethical retard would contribute...

...to Santorum's campaign? O. Of course. Excuse me. That would be any typical Republithug f*cking ethical retard. And of course our nep-nazi-corpo-fascist overlords, too.

[young_at_heart]

18. They must think that money is what it takes to sway voters

Lots and lots of money keep our country going to the GOP so that the corporate bosses continue to run the country. Let's hope there are some Dem leaders who can figure out a strategy.

[spindrifter]

20. And the population of PA is 12.2 million or so?

[OwnedByFerrets]

21. And dont forget that

even if/when Casey wins, vote totals can be changed lickety-split.

[drm604]

22. Contribution Breakdown: Casey versus Santorum

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2006&id=PAS2
20% of his contributions are from PACS. Casey has only 9% from PACS.

Top Contributors: http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.asp?ID=PAS2&cycle=2006&special=N
I'm suddenly quite miffed with my employer. I've always ignored their invitations to join their PAC, I'm suddenly very happy I did. I'm also not very happy with my utility company, my cable company, and my medical insurer - none of which I have a viable alternative to. :grr:
And what's up with Blank Rome LLP? Covering both bases I guess, but favoring Santorum. I'm sure I've heard that name before, hmmm... looks like they may be kinda dirty. I wish we could hang them around Santorum's neck but, unfortunately, they've also contributed to Casey (only about half as much).

Business, labor, and ideological split: http://www.opensecrets.org/races/blio.asp?ID=PAS2&cycle=2006&special=N
Very predictable.

On Edit: Added more info and links.

[Junkdrawer]

23. This is our first election with electronic voting machines AND no VVPAT...

(Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) by order of our SOS.

Needless to say, I'm not optimistic about an honest counting.

[onehandle]

24. There's a sucker born every minute. nt

[Mz Pip]

25. People are actually sending this fool money???

:puke:

Maybe you can fool 29% all of the time.


Mz Pip
:dem:

[Judi Lynn]

26. Santorum Struggles for Support at Home

Santorum Struggles for Support at Home
By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer

Saturday, July 15, 2006
(07-15) 01:23 PDT Pittsburgh (AP) --

Phyllis Sharkady has voted twice for the local boy who made good, Republican Sen. Rick Santorum. Not this year.

"I'm willing to go for change — big time," said Sharkady, 59, a Hewlett-Packard retiree from Shaler Township, Pa., who admits she knows little about Santorum's Democratic challenger. "You need somebody without the so-called baggage."

Santorum's rise in the Republican ranks has been speedy, from state chairman of the College Republicans during his days at Penn State to congressman to No. 3 in the Senate GOP leadership. An unabashed conservative, he has been something of a political misfit in Pennsylvania, which backed Democrats Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.

This election year, Santorum, 48, is widely regarded as the most vulnerable incumbent. By double digits, polls show him trailing rival Bob Casey, the state treasurer, namesake son of a popular governor and a conservative Democrat.
(snip/...)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/07/15/politics/p012318D33.DTL&type=politics

http://homepage.mac.com/jholbo/nutwork/images/Santorum,%20Rick.jpg

Republican $20,000,000 man, Rick Santorum, Democratic candidate Bob Casey